[Chapter Size: 3600 Words.]
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Third Person POV
North, 297 AC.
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The weather was harsh in Winterfell. While everyone whispered in secret that morning, they immediately fell silent when they saw Lord Stark leaving his room. The crowd parted, allowing the lord of Winterfell to pass through the corridors after leaving a room he had been sleeping in alone for a long time.
He headed to the courtyard with a few guards, while Jory had already gathered all of Winterfell's guard, as there were matters to be addressed among everyone present.
The sun was just beginning to cast a few rays on the horizon. Looking at more than 200 men lined up, though not all were present, the key figures stood ready, awaiting their lord's words about what this assembly meant.
Ned even noticed his son, Robb, approaching.
"You came as well..." he commented, knowing he hadn't summoned Robb, yet his son had come anyway.
"I... unfortunately, I bear some responsibility for all of this, Father." Robb's voice carried a deep sadness. He was clearly upset about what was happening to his mother. But, as his sister had told him, he needed to act like a Stark. Perhaps guilt consumed him, or witnessing his mother's behavior the previous day made him reflect. He didn't want to end up like her—a slave to her own fears. Even after all these years, she still hated Jon with all her might, as if he were a threat to Winterfell, which, logically, seemed implausible unless Jon sought vengeance.
Perhaps Robb should find a better path than the one resentment and wounded pride could offer. After all, that's what his sister had told him yesterday.
'Arya, you know Mother didn't mean to say that, right?' Robb had gone after Arya the previous night, after their mother had been taken to her room. He found Arya with her guards and her friend, preparing to leave the castle and join the Unsullied camped beyond the wall.
'She said exactly what she meant, Robb,' Arya replied, looking at him while her companions waited for her to finish the conversation.
'She's drunk...' Robb attempted to argue, though it was difficult to acknowledge his mother's state.
'Yes... But that doesn't change the fact that she's a woman consumed by resentment and fear. You know she's always been like this when I wasn't around. Am I wrong, Robb?' Arya challenged him.
'...' Robb didn't answer, fully aware that his mother had not spent a single day without speaking ill of Jon in some way, even when he had sided with her.
'She's blinded by hatred. She has no real reason to hate Jon. He's beyond the Wall, taking care of Artica. He does that to justify his actions, but deep down, she feels guilty too. She believes she could have changed things if she had acted differently. Yet she's also a woman too proud to let go of her beliefs about bastards being this or that... I just wonder, Robb, if you want to be like that too. I truly hope you and Jon can reconcile in the end. Will you try to rule Winterfell, always fearing that Jon might attack you the moment Father is no longer here?' Arya asked, her guards remaining silent but watching Robb with interest, waiting to see how he would respond. He was caught off guard by the question.
'I...' Robb murmured, uncertain of what to say.
'I don't think you can answer that now...' Arya interrupted, unwilling to press him further. 'But you know Mother is wrong. I know that much. I just wonder if you'll choose to live like that as well. What I mean is that you need to own your mistakes, and I will support you, brother,' she said these words before turning and walking away. He might be an idiot, but he was still her brother. She hoped her words would resonate with him, as they had a week ago.
And it seemed they had worked. Robb now approached his father, taking a deep breath. He knew he might be judged, but he had to take responsibility or at least begin to do so, addressing his shortcomings.
"All right..." His father looked at him for a moment before sighing as he saw Robb approaching his side. He then turned his face to the soldiers, who were watching him, waiting for him to speak.
"Well, as you all know, I'm here to clarify some matters before the trial. Certain things were said yesterday, and I don't want any rumors spreading in the wrong way. I'll address the servants later, but first, I need to establish a few points with all of you," he said as the men remained silent, waiting for him to continue. At that moment, Ser Rodrik approached with a few more guards, lining up as he organized them.
"To begin with, from this moment forward, no one shall follow any orders from Lady Catelyn. I am officially abolishing all the authority she had as Lady of Winterfell. I hope this is clear," he declared to everyone.
The men nodded in silence. There wasn't much to say, though some looked visibly surprised by the suddenness of this announcement, especially since, at the same time the previous day, Lady Catelyn's orders were to be followed strictly.
"Furthermore, if she has any requests beyond food, they are to be brought to me. No orders should be obeyed—especially not as last night, and under no circumstances should any alcohol be provided to her," Ned stated firmly as everyone nodded again.
"Now, regarding the events of yesterday. One of your comrades, although he hasn't committed any crimes over the past nearly ten years, was part of a plot that falsely accused an innocent—an eight-year-old boy—during the incident with the servant's theft. Jon, whom you know as my son born outside of marriage and now the king of a realm beyond the Wall, was always innocent of this accusation. House Stark will do everything to atone for this. We will start with a public apology to Jon Artica and his honor. I will inform the entire North of this," he declared in a firm and commanding tone.
Even the castle was now filled with servants listening from windows and doors, gossiping. However, while the servants could whisper among themselves, the guards simply nodded in response, despite their visible shock. They obeyed their lord's words, but Robb, standing beside his father, felt many eyes upon him. He knew, even though his father hadn't mentioned it directly, that he had been involved in the incident along with Theon. The old servants were already whispering about the rumors and events from that time.
Robb kept a resolute expression. He was being judged at that moment and couldn't blame anyone for it. He knew the North would do the same, but he had to face it. He stood firm under the gazes of disgust and disappointment from many soldiers who had once considered themselves his friends.
"There's one more matter I need to discuss with you," the lord of Winterfell continued. "I am removing all soldiers who came from the Riverlands over the years from their posts. Along with their servants, they will each receive a substantial sum of money to start a new life elsewhere."
Ned's words shocked everyone. Among the group he referred to, they were a minority, but about 20% of the guard was not from the North. The number of servants was slightly higher, as it included the wives of these soldiers.
Ned knew this was harsh, but he felt it was necessary—not only as a step toward justice for Jon, whose name they would seek to clear, but also to rid the castle of those still loyal to his wife. After all, it had been Catelyn who brought this group here.
"Lord Stark... Are you really going to do this?" one guard couldn't help but interrupt upon hearing the announcement. He had settled in the North, taken a Northern wife, and had three children. Being expelled from the North would be a terrible fate for him.
"I am not banishing you from the kingdom, but you will no longer serve in the castle. If you wish to continue serving House Stark, I will arrange work for you outside these walls, should you desire it," Lord Stark replied.
Several guards began to protest, unable to believe what was happening.
"Your father is quite the man; he really wants to make amends with our king..." Buri remarked from one of the windows, looking out beside Jill. Arya and Mearin were there as well, with Arya leaning against the wall, arms crossed, as if she didn't care much about her father's speech.
"I can't say I disapprove of it. Either way, my father seems to have everything under control there. How about we go get something to eat now? The servants must have prepared something already," Arya said casually, pushing herself off the wall and heading to the kitchen, followed by her companions.
While Arya ate her first meal of the day, her father continued trying to manage the situation. The guards—or rather, the former castle guards—had no choice but to accept their fate. Meanwhile, Vayon Poole was tasked with gathering all the castle's servants, as the Lord of Winterfell prepared to address them. He delivered the same instructions as before, ensuring that all servants originally from the Tully household were to leave, effectively purging the entire castle of southern influence.
Vayon was deeply worried he might also be dismissed. No one in the castle had been more influenced by Lady Catelyn than he had, having followed her every command for years, even complying with her demands against Jon. He had given Jon the worst room in the castle during his time there.
Ned considered this carefully and initially decided to keep Vayon. However, Arya spoke to him mid-morning after leaving the guards, as if she somehow knew what he was contemplating.
'Father, remember, of all the people who were there to make Jon endure Mother's abuses when he couldn't defend himself, Poole was involved. I know their house has served the Starks for generations, and we might be able to overlook it—but Jon won't. He'll carry that memory for the rest of his life. So do what needs to be done.' With that, Arya left him even more conflicted about what decision to make.
In the end, Ned decided to remove Vayon from the castle. He offered him a substantial amount of gold to ensure he could live comfortably with his daughters for the rest of his life. It was a heavy blow—Ned had relied on Vayon for many years. His daughter, Sansa, would be devastated as well; Jayne Poole was her best friend.
Lord Stark's actions continued throughout the day, leaving the castle's inhabitants deeply shocked about their fate. They were given only a few days to leave. It was confirmed that they would accompany Lady Catelyn south, as Ned had decided not to wait for a guard from the Tullys. Instead, he would send her with a Stark escort. Lady Catelyn remained in her room all day—not for lack of trying to leave. She repeatedly tried to find someone who would let her out, but everyone remained steadfast. She realized she was losing all her power over the castle.
"You're not in the right mindset to train today, Bran," Arya murmured as she watched her younger brother miss every shot with his arrows.
"I can do it!" he said, clearly frustrated. He had specifically asked Arya to train with him.
"Leave it for another time, Bran. You won't gain anything from this right now..." Arya said plainly.
"..." Bran said nothing more, gathering his missed arrows and putting them away, his head lowered.
He then turned to his sister, looking at her with a hint of pity. "Mother... don't you consider her your mother anymore?" he asked cautiously.
"After yesterday, I decided not to see her that way anymore," Arya replied with a neutral tone.
Jill sighed and glanced at Buri. It was clear Arya felt hurt by the way her mother had treated her. Jill knew that, despite seeming fine, Arya had cried alone in her room. But Jill said nothing about it. Arya appeared resolute as she spoke those words.
"She said she's sorry..." Bran murmured, prompting Arya to raise an eyebrow at him.
"Did she tell you to say that?" Arya asked.
Bran didn't deny it and nodded.
"She asked me to talk to you," he murmured, his voice filled with confusion. "She said she was sorry and wanted you to visit her so she could ask for forgiveness."
Arya stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Listen, Bran..." she began gently. "There are things Mother did that can't be forgiven so easily. She hurt this family... You should know that accusing Jon over nine years ago, just to shield Robb as a child, shouldn't go unanswered. We are Starks," she said softly, trying to help him understand.
Bran began to cry.
"But it was so long ago! It shouldn't be like this. She's our mother!" he exclaimed, then ran off in tears, leaving Arya watching him with pity.
"He's still so young..." Arya murmured, turning to Jill, who was approaching.
"Yes, Princess... He'll understand one day," Jill said, and Arya nodded.
The days passed as the dismissed guards and servants began saying their goodbyes to friends and acquaintances. Ned worked closely with Maester Luwin to provide each departing person with gold coins to help them settle elsewhere. Years ago, Jon had made a significant donation of gold—more than seven years ago—and Ned used part of that gold for this purpose. Though perhaps he should return the remaining gold to his nephew as an apology.
Sansa was devastated when she learned that Jeyne Poole had to leave the castle. She cried bitterly and blamed Arya for everything that was happening, though she kept her accusations to herself and avoided meeting her younger sister. Arya endured Sansa's silent judgment stoically, as long as it wasn't voiced publicly. Even so, Arya was satisfied to see the Stark household being set in order again.
Arya had learned about the ancient Starks of Artica and how the Vale's influence on her father—and her mother's fervent devotion to the Seven—had led the family astray. Perhaps, staying in Winterfell over the next year could help bring them back to their roots.
Theon was dealt a harsh punishment. He was not allowed to leave Winterfell, and his outings were severely limited. His reputation suffered greatly. Even Robb had distanced himself from Theon over the past week, recognizing that Theon had often whispered in his ear about Jon being a threat. While this didn't absolve Robb of his own culpability, he decided to separate himself from Theon, who had a tendency toward poor decisions.
Ned ensured that Theon's punishment fit his crimes, assigning him to work alongside the servants.
Robb was also made to take responsibility by managing the kennels and stables. He had to clean horse and dog dung, prepare food, and even bathe the animals—a task Jon had performed during his time of unjust accusation. It was almost ironic.
Catelyn was outraged when she learned that her son and heir was taking on a servant's duties, but Robb chose to do it anyway.
Finally, the day of the trial arrived, and both Arya and Robb were summoned. For Arya, this wasn't her first time in the hall of judgment since her return. She had already witnessed the trial of the bandits she encountered in the woods. Among the survivors, they had uncovered a scheme in Bolton territory, prompting her father to send a letter to Lord Roose Bolton requesting an investigation. Ned could not act within a vassal's territory without evidence, but he trusted that Roose would handle the matter.
"Bring the prisoners," Lord Stark commanded.
The guards brought in the servant and the soldier. Another soldier had been involved, but he was in the Riverlands. Ned had included him in the letter to Lord Tully, requesting that the man be sent north to face justice.
Both prisoners were brought forward, looking nervously at Lord Stark. He sat on his judgment seat, flanked by his two children on his right, and with Lord Jory, Ser Rodrik, and Maester Luwin to his left. Everyone present was there to witness and assist in the trial.
"Please, my lord, I was forced to blame the boy! I didn't want to!" the servant exclaimed immediately, fully aware of what this meant. He knelt, pleading for forgiveness with tears streaming down his face. He was visibly devastated, having already wept for days in his cell. Deep inside, he wondered why he hadn't left Winterfell as soon as he learned that the former bastard had become a king beyond the Wall—a situation that now posed a serious problem for him.
"You were forced, yet you stayed silent and didn't come to your lord with the truth. Are you sure you had no other choice?" Arya questioned, her tone stern and authoritative. Her guards, Jill and Grey Worm, stood nearby, attentively watching the scene and guarding their princess.
Despite her firm words, Arya wrestled with her own thoughts. A part of her wished things had been different. Perhaps if Jon had remained in Winterfell, Artica might never have existed. But now, she felt it was her duty to seek justice for Jon, and she was determined to use all her strength and skills to do so.
Hearing Arya's words, the servant remained silent, murmuring something incomprehensible, clearly afraid. He couldn't bring himself to respond, letting only his tears flow. A sob escaped as he looked directly at Lord Stark, as though the lord of Winterfell was his only hope of salvation. To Ned, however, the sight was pathetic. He needed to make a fair judgment.
"You are accused of framing a child over nine years ago in a foolish and cruel scheme meant to protect others," Lord Stark declared, his voice heavy with restrained fury.
"Yes, we did it to save your son," the guard admitted, his tone bitter as he glared at Robb. Robb kept his gaze steady, unwavering, as no words passed between them.
"We are here to hold you accountable. My son will face punishment by other means. So, is that all you have to say?" Ned asked, his tone firm and uncompromising. He allowed no interruptions, maintaining complete control over the trial.
The guard said nothing more, and the servant continued to weep silently.
"Very well, let us proceed," Ned declared.
He began to ask detailed questions, probing to uncover every aspect of the incident. Cornered, the prisoners started to reveal how they had conspired against Jon. They described how they had summoned the boy and coerced him into taking the blame. Every detail made Ned's blood boil. He remembered the lifeless look in Jon's eyes the following day when they had spoken about the supposed theft—a conversation in which Ned hadn't realized Jon was innocent. The fact that his own wife had orchestrated this scheme tormented him deeply.
In the end, Ned sighed heavily and looked at the prisoners before posing the final question:
"Given everything that has been brought to light, do you consider yourselves guilty?"
"Yes," the guard replied in a neutral voice, while the servant continued to sob, still trying to appeal to Lord Stark's sympathy.
"Very well, you have two options," Lord Stark said at last. "Either you take the black and serve the Night's Watch, or you will have your heads decapitated." His tone was indifferent, as if the outcome meant little to him. The servant, however, seemed to descend further into despair, crying like a child.
"I will take the black, my lord," the guard said in a dry tone.
"No! Please! I had nothing to do with this—I was forced!" the servant cried, but Lord Stark merely shook his head.
"This is your only choice. I will consider that you've accepted the black. You will also be sent to the Night's Watch in the coming days," he said finally, signaling the guards to take them away.
The servant cried even harder as he was dragged back to his cell, while the guard appeared resigned to his fate.
"Does the guard have a family?" Lord Stark asked his advisors, turning to his right.
Lord Jory, who was responsible for the guard, nodded. "Yes, he has a family, two children. His wife is a Northerner."
"I see. There will be a chance to help. The two boys will become Stark soldiers, and we will provide his wife with a sum of coins to sustain her until the boys grow up and become adults. He may not have deserved this entirely, but we will do this since he has committed no further crimes in the last nine years," Ned Stark concluded. Jory nodded in agreement.
"At any rate, we are done here. The letters I sent a few days ago should already be arriving at their respective destinations," Lord Stark murmured as he left the hall with his children, closing any remaining audiences for the day. He was in no state to continue and needed to manage the castle, as well as find someone to assume the role of the castle's steward.
Meanwhile, Ned Stark's assumption was correct: the letters detailing the events had begun arriving at the various houses in the North, while others were on their way to the South.
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Now, we will shift focus to events outside the castle.
-------------Nexts Chapters ----------------
Chapter 228 - A student from Arctic 02.
Chapter 233 - The She-Wolf of the North 03.
Chapter 243 - Artican Army vs Khal Drogo's Khalasar 02.
Chapter 252 - Free Folk vs Dead Army 01.
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